Poloniati adds power to Turbos locking stocks
on Tuesday, 13 April 2021. Posted in Turbos News
The Manawatū Turbos have added some height in their second row in the form of Semisi (James) Poloniati.
Poloniati, 25, will arrive in the region for the second round of the Hankins Shield.
Turbos coach Peter Russell was pleased to have Poloniati on board.
"Semsi will add great value to our forward pack with his height, robustness and athleticism. JP will potentially move to Palmerston North during the second round of MRU club rugby," he said.
"At this stage JP will remain playing in Wellington for Old Boys University with Shamus Hurley-Langton under forwards coach Bernie Upton."
At 2.03m and 120kg, Poloniati will join the likes of Liam Mitchell, Micaiah Torrance-Read, Ofa Tauatevalu and TK Howden in the battle for starting lock minutes.
Poloniati is a former Tongan Under 20s representative. In 2018 he played for South Canterbury in the Heartland Championship and made the New Zealand Heartland XV.
Last season he was included in the Wellington sqaud for the NPC.
Contracted Turbos
Harrison Allan
Jamie Booth
Brett Cameron
Stewart Cruden
Johnny Galloway
Joseph Gavigan
TK Howden
Shamus Hurley-Langton
Tyler Laubscher
Ngani Laumape
Siua Maile
Josiah Maraku
Liam Mitchell
Semisi Poloniati
Aaron Smith
Ben Strang
Ofa Tauatevalu
Samu Tawake
James Tofa
Micaiah Torrance-Read
TieTie Tuimauga
Drew Wild